News
North East power Blackout: Senate urges FG’s urgent intervention
…demands urgent construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line
Disturbed by the incessant vandalisation of towers and transmission lines in the North East of Nigeria, the Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to intervene to ameliorate the incessant power blackout in the region.
The Senate also directed that the Federal Ministry of Power to implement the recommendations outlined in Sections 209, 210, 211, 212, and 213 of the Electricity Act 2023 to enhance the security of transmission infrastructure. Also, to collaborate with security agencies and local vigilantes in host communities of TCN transmission lines to deter and prevent acts of vandalism.
The Senate further resolved that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power to as a matter of urgency allocate funds to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to address the faults along the Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line and restore power supply to affected areas, especially on all affected towers.
Also directed the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite the construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line, in alignment with the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) and the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), to connect the North-East region to the South-East transmission network.
The motion promoted by Senator Haruna Manu representing representing Taraba Central Senatorial District and 16 Senators listed below from the geo-political zone on Wednesday moved on the motion tagged ‘URGENT NEED FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS THE VANDALIZATION OF TRANSMISSION LINES IN THE NORTH-EAST REGION OF NIGERIA’
Co-Sponsors:
Sen. David S. U Jimkuta (Taraba South)
Sen. Isah Shaibu Lau (Taraba North)
Sen. Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central)
Sen. Amos Yohana (Adamawa North)
Sen. Binos Dauda Yaroe (Adamawa South)
Sen. Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (Bauchi North)
Sen. Ahmed Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central)
Sen. Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South)
Sen. Goje Muhammed Danjuma (Gombe Central)
Sen. Siyako Yaro Anthony (Gombe South)
Sen. Dankwanmbo Ibrahim Hassan (Gombe North)
Sen. Kaka Shehu (Borno Central)
Sen. Monguno Muhammed Tahir (Borno North)
Sen. Aliyu Ndumi (Borno South)
Sen. Geidam Ibrahim (Yobe East)
Sen. Ahmed I. Lawan (Yobe North)
Sen. Ibrahim Muhammed Bornai (Yobe South)
Manu submitted that “the vandalization of critical electricity transmission infrastructure poses a significant threat to the economic prosperity, public health, safety, and security of the North-East region of Nigeria;
Noting that” recent incidents of vandalization along the Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line have resulted in severe disruptions to power supply. This has affected millions of residents, hospitals, commercial activities, communication networks, public safety, and the overall well-being of the people in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Borno States.
And the frequent vandalization of transmission lines especially the destruction of TCN towers, not only disrupts the electricity supply in the affected states but also compromises essential services such as healthcare and education. It also exacerbates insecurity issues, and imposes a heavy financial burden on public resources for the repair and replacement of infrastructural damages.
The indirect effects of power outages on food production further strain the food inflation of the country, impacting the availability and affordability of agricultural products, particularly in the North-East region, which is a major cultivator and producer;
The Taraba born Senator further explained that the proposed alternative transmission line route, namely the construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line, offers a viable solution to mitigate the risks of vandalization and improve the resilience and reliability of the electrical infrastructure in the region.
Stressing that “by investing in alternative transmission routes and enhancing security measures, we can safeguard the well-being of our communities, promote economic stability, and ensure the reliable supply of electricity for all residents and businesses.
Rounding up Senator Manu said that” it is profitable for the nation to enhance accessibility and affordability of high-quality power supply services to support these states and their citizens.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, suffered the worst defeat of his managerial career as they lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
The Premier League champions were already on a run of four consecutive defeats ahead of the visit of the North London side.
James Maddison scored twice in the first half to set Spurs on their way to a sensational win.
Pedro Porro drilled in a third, before Brennan Johnson got on the scoresheet late in the game.
The result leaves City in second place with 23 points. They could go eight points behind Liverpool by the end of this Game Week.
Guardiola takes his men to Anfield next weekend.
News
FUOYE Re-Marks Exam Papers of Student Failed By Lecturer Over Sex-for-Grade Scandal, Secures Justice
The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, has cleared a female student, Ramota Olahanloye, to graduate following the re-marking of her final-year examination scripts.
Olahanloye had alleged that a lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, demanded sexual favours from her, and when she declined, he deliberately failed her in two final-year courses.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wole Balogun, the university confirmed that Olahanloye’s allegations were investigated, and her scripts were re-marked.
“The young lady’s scripts were re-marked, and she performed fairly better than the scores initially awarded by Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia,” the statement read.
According to Balogun, the university management approved Olahanloye’s revised results, which qualified her for graduation.
“The university management has given executive approval for her results to be processed. She has since commenced her final clearance from relevant units of the university,” the statement added.
Balogun also disclosed that Agbegbedia had been sanctioned by the institution for his misconduct.
Olahanloye expressed her joy over the resolution of the case, saying, “I am happy that I have gotten justice, and I really appreciate the university Vice-Chancellor for setting up the committee that investigated the matter.
“I was shown my entire results, including the graduation list with my name on it. I have started my clearance as a graduating student of the university, and I am truly happy.”
Her father, Rasaki Olahanloye, also lauded the university for its commitment to justice.
“I can confirm to the world that FUOYE has served justice to my daughter. I was shown her upgraded results after her scripts were re-marked, and it is clear that she passed.
“The university fulfilled its promise to ensure fairness, and I appreciate the VC, Prof. Sunday Fasina, and the committee members for ensuring my daughter gets justice,” he said.
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School principal suspended in Akwa Ibom over poor feeding of students
NECO accredits more foreign schools for SSCE, BECE
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